The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing, Feb. 15, as the 115th Congress began laying the groundwork for the 2018 Farm Bill. The hearing primarily focused on the economic challenges facing of U.S. agriculture, including dairy.

Policy changes and media attention regarding the Trump administration's executive orders has heightened concerns among dairy producers who hire immigrant labor. To address some of those concerns, the American Dairy Coalition (ADC) hosted an ”Immigration Update: Preparing for ICE Visits” webinar, Feb. 17.

On Feb. 15, Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), along with Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-Pa.) and Rep. John Faso (R-N.Y.), introduced the Young Farmer Success Act in a bipartisan effort to preserve America’s agricultural economy and the security of its national food supply.

“I was born and raised on the dairy,” says Rob Seiber, owner of Seiber Dairy in Wiggins, Colorado. “I always knew this is where I wanted to be.”

Come on, spring! I type that with a great deal of gusto, but honestly, it seems selfish to say. Michigan has had a great winter. We only had short stretches of really cold weather.

Shortly after getting married, I took over the task of raising calves on our farm. One of the first tasks I was given was to head to the local Goodwill store to buy fleece vests.

The year 1930 had more than its share of low points as the first full year of the Great Depression; however, it wasn’t all bad. History was made Nov. 13, 1930, when Borden Company unveiled the first rotary parlor.

In its continued effort to share the compelling story of continuous improvement on America’s dairy farms, the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program has opened participation in its third component, FARM Environmental Stewardship (ES).

U.S. farmland values fell in tandem with lower farm incomes to end 2016. While that trend was expected to continue through the first quarter of 2017, several factors will determine the land value direction in the year ahead, according to Randy Dickhut, senior vice president of real estate operations for Farmers National Company.

On 850 acres in Lublin, Wisconsin, Doug Syryczuk milks 300 Holstein cows and raises alfalfa (300 acres) and brown midrib (BMR) corn silage. He says, “Granted, there is a little tonnage difference in the BMR from conventional hybrids, but digestibility on the BMR is, I think, one of the big differences in keeping our production where it’s at.”